Rutland pub considering 'energy surcharge' to cover rising costs
The Olive Branch's energy bills will rise by over 430%
Households across Stamford and Rutland were met with a worrying figure when the energy price cap rose by 80% last week - but that figure will be even higher for businesses in the hospitality industry.
Ben Jones, owner of The Olive Branch Pub in Clipsham, was paying £75 a day for energy bills, but his last quote saw the price rise to £400 (an increase of 433%).
He says the jump is simply unsustainable, and that an "energy surcharge" for customers is being considered to help mitigate the cost:
'One of the ideas that we are having is put a £2.50 or £3 per head energy surcharge onto the bottom of our bills - we don't see why we should have to increase our food prices or our menu prices but this is something that's out of our control, it's purely down to energy costs.'
He added that urgent intervention was needed:
'Everybody that I've spoken to is concerned about what's going to happen to their businesses in October and are preparing for the worst. We just don't know what is going to happen and without that support from the government I'm not sure how many places are going to survive.'
A spokesperson from the Department of Business, Energy and Industry said the Government would 'continue to support the hospitality sector over the coming months by halving business rates, freezing alcohol duties and reducing employer national insurance - but no Government could control the global factors pushing up energy costs.'
The Government has previously stated no new policies would be brought in until the new Prime Minister was announced.